By AZ BIG MEDIA

The West Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance (WVCCA), composed of the six West Valley Chambers, has partnered with Fennemore Craig to represent the collective interests of businesses in the West Valley on public policy issues.
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A crucial part of a Chamber of Commerce’s role in the business community is advocating for pro-business policies. In 2019, to increase the Chambers are committed to enhanced effectiveness of advocacy for issues that impact West Valley businesses, the Chamber CEO’s and Fennemore Craig will be attending meetings with legislators and lobbying to champion the issues that are important to the West Valley.

By: YourValley.net

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting early this month at Kawaii Sushi & Asian Cuisine – Deer Valley, at the corner of 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road.

The celebration lasted all day with music, performances and food. Chamber CEO Robert Heidt and board chair Maria Brunner, along with other Glendale Chamber of Commerce members, were in attendance.
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Kawaii Sushi will be open 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, noon-10:30 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant serves Sushi as well as cooked Asian cuisine dishes. Alcoholic drinks on the menu include beer, wine, sake and cocktails.

Jen Fifield, Arizona Republic Published 6:00 a.m. MT Nov. 21, 2018 | Updated 2:32 p.m. MT Nov. 21, 2018

More than a million lights will illuminate downtown Glendale this weekend as Glendale Glitters begins.

Thousands will converge on the city's streets and sidewalks near 58th and Glendale avenues looking to get in the holiday spirit. There will be music, dancing and fireworks.

But underneath the glow of the festive lights, not everyone will be feeling cordial.

Downtown merchants are in a bit of a war now — with city officials, and with one another.

The conflict is rooted in the challenges that downtown faces — challenges that the celebration will only do so much to mask. Many storefronts are empty, some businesses are struggling and everyone knows that without a big affair, crowds are unlikely to come.

The problem isn't unique to Glendale. Many shopping malls and downtowns across the state are struggling as more people shop online, although some malls are finding a way to adapt.
 
CHANGE VS. TRADITIONS LIKE GLENDALE GLITTERS

The crux in Glendale is whether to take big risks to spark change.

City Manager Kevin Phelps is proposing bold ideas meant to bring more people and business downtown year-round. But his ideas tug on the city's historical heartstrings.

As Glitters celebrates its 25th season, he proposes ending the festival, which would give the city money to host smaller events downtown throughout the year. He also wants to move Velma Teague Branch Library out of Murphy Park and put destination restaurants in that key spot.

Many merchants, including some who are newer to the area, are on board. They say downtown needs to come to life.

Others, though, believe Phelps' ideas strip downtown Glendale of charm and tradition, which is what they say pulls people in. They also say they don't know what they would do without the money they make during holiday weekends, which they tuck away to help get through the slower summer months.

BY GRISELDA ZETINO, KTAR News

PHOENIX — It’s cooked and it looks just like a regular burger with a meat-like texture and flavor. But the “Impossible Burger” is actually a vegan burger.

​It’s made out of plant-based ingredients, such as wheat and potatoes. The key ingredient is heme, which is what gives it a beef-like smell and taste.

“The Impossible Burger is our biggest seller,” said Zach Willekens, bar manager and event coordinator at the Cuff Downtown Bistro. “That brings in a lot of people because everyone wants to try it.”

The Cuff is one of many restaurants in downtown Glendale adding vegan options to their menus. A few blocks down, Pizza Old Roma is offering a vegan pizza. If tacos are more your taste, Mi Vagana Madre offers vegan tacos.

There are also several vegan dessert options, such as a vegan latte and pastries at A Shot of Java and vegan ice cream at Nomadic Ice Cream.

Willekens, a vegetarian and on-and-off vegan, said he used to have to drive to Phoenix or Scottsdale for vegan food. That’s no longer the case now with all the vegan options available in downtown Glendale.

“It’s a hole in the market that was never filled until now,” he said.

Katy Engles, director of downtown development for the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, said more vegan options means more people are visiting the downtown area.

“We’re seeing that influx, and we’re happy they’re coming to us because we want people to experience different things downtown,” she said.

Engles said it all started in February with the opening of the Veggie Rebellion, the state’s first vegan grocery store, in downtown Glendale. She said the owner of the grocery store, Sandra McKee, worked with restaurant managers and owners to give them ideas on vegan options they could add to their menus.

For people who haven’t tried vegan food, Willekens said there are plenty of vegan food options to choose from.
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“A good introductory point would be to try something like the Impossible Burger that is very similar in texture and taste, and it’s not that different from a normal beef hamburger,” he said “Then, from there venture out to more of the different quality vegan foods you can get.”

Glendale, AZ, (September 7, 2018) –Glendale’s sixth annual “Stand Up for Veterans” will be held at Glendale Community College, 6000 W. Olive Ave., on Sat., Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Over 1,000 veterans have attended the community outreach event in its history. This event is designed to provide ample opportunities for veterans to access services tailored to their life experiences and needs, in a central location.
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“I am proud of an event that continues to reach more veterans and their families every year,” said Glendale Mayor Jerry P. Weiers who initiated the Glendale Stand Up event six years ago. “This event offers veterans an opportunity to better their lives by connecting them to many resources including employers in one place. Its success is truly a powerful accomplishment for everyone involved.”

The Glendale Star
Darrell Jackson
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The City Council unanimously approved a three-year contract with the Glendale Chamber of Commerce for the city’s Chairman’s Circle Membership and general support services at a cost of $20,000 per year.

​The city is a long-standing member of the chamber, which was established as part of the Glendale business community in 1927.
The chamber is a private, nonprofit, membership-driven organization whose mission is to serve the business community, provide programs and services to improve the economic environment, and serve as a reliable source for community information and business referrals.
Since October 2013, when current Chamber President Robert Heidt took over leadership, the chamber has grown from 475 members to more than 1,200, becoming one of the largest in the state of Arizona.

What could be better than a stroll through Historic Downtown Glendale on a summer evening? Think of one thing — the chance to win prizes while you stroll.
Visit Glendale and the Glendale Chamber of Commerce have teamed up with the downtown business community to put on the Summer Scavenger Stroll. While visitors shop, dine and stroll, they will encounter clues that will give them points and chances to win prizes.
Between 4 and 8 p.m. June 2, head to the Glendale Chamber of Commerce to pick up a map and start hunting. While shopping or dining, search for clues. The more clues one finds, the more points he or she will earn for chances to win prizes, which are provided by participating Downtown Glendale merchants. Last year’s prizes exceeded $600 in retail value.
Visitors will end the evening at Spinning Wheel Antiques & Gifts, 7015 N. 58th Ave., to turn in clues and attend the prize drawings. Bob and Sara Yarrow, owners of Spinning Wheel Antiques & Gifts, are coordinating the downtown event. Their shop has many vintage items, as well as Destination Christmas with year-round holiday treasures.
The Glendale Chamber of Commerce is at 5800 W. Glenn Drive, Suite 275. For more information about the event, call Spinning Wheel Antiques & Gifts at 623-703-2071. Admission and parking are free. Parking is available in the adjacent garage, just north of Glenn Drive, between 58th Avenue and 58th Drive.

There’s something new and wonderful to celebrate in downtown Glendale. Check out the “before and after” transformation of this downtown space in this video.

https://vimeo.com/user69856880/review/270530097/ffe9a79c81
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azcentral
Georgann Yara

Curious about those buzz-worthy restaurants but short on time to check them all out?
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